UNC-CH Ofcials Keep Close Eye on N.C. State Development

Developers of UNC-CH's Carolina North -- a project located on the Horace Williams tract and similar to the Centennial Campus -- examined the board's decision on N.C. State's planned golf course and conference center.

"We are following the developments with great interest," said Jonathan Howes, special assistant to the chancellor at UNC-CH. "What NCSU is doing is path-finding for what we will do."

Jeff Davies, UNC-system vice president for finance, also said the campuses' development teams are closely linked. "(UNC-CH developers) have toured, talked to people and examined the public-private partnerships at Centennial Campus."

But Tony Waldrop, UNC-CH vice chancellor for research and graduate studies, said the recent decision would not have any implications for Carolina North. He said developers are examining other campuses such as Pennsylvania State University and the University of Illinois.

Howes said differences between Carolina North and the Centennial Campus make the plans less controversial. "We have not planned either a golf course or a hotel, although I cannot absolutely rule it out. The issues Centennial Campus faced specifically focused on the hotel and the golf course."

At N.C. State, tourist and business groups argued that the Centennial Campus plans would undermine local businesses. Others felt the proposals were too lavish.

Robert Humphreys, executive director of the Chapel Hill Downtown Commission, said that although a hotel or a golf course on the Horace Williams tract would introduce competition to local businesses, the commission would not oppose such proposals should they be developed.

He said the shortage of rooms in Chapel Hill might actually warrant a hotel on Carolina North.

But Humphreys said he thinks a venue on Carolina North similar to Centennial Campus' is unlikely because UNC-CH already has the Carolina Inn, a golf course and the Paul J. Rizzo Conference Center.

BOG member William Burns said that UNC-CH might not need the same type of development as N.C. State but that there might be a need for rooms at Carolina North.

When planning development, Burns said, there are steps UNC-CH can take to avoid N.C. State's problems. "If Chapel Hill uses a private developer, they will not have any problems, but if they try to do it themselves they may well encounter similar problems."

Despite their differences, the two campuses are working closely, Humphreys said, adding that developments at Centennial Campus would motivate UNC-CH's planners.

But Davies said there is a need for careful planning and patience at Carolina North even though N.C. State is going ahead with its plans.

"The Horace Williams tract is very exciting and holds many opportunities," he said. "The Carolina North development cannot be thought out too much or too carefully planned and organized."

The State & National Editor can be reached at stntdesk@unc.edu.